Amphibians

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Hyperolius pickersgilli, a species that has received extensive collaborative conservation focus over the last decade in South Africa. These efforts have resulted in its protection level improving from poorly protected in 2018 to moderately protected in 2025. (© Tyrone Ping)

22%
of 135 taxa assessed are
Threatened

73%
of 133 assessed taxa are
Well Protected

~80%
of threatened amphibians are considered
under-protected

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Key findings

• In the current assessment, 135 taxa have been evaluated, and 82 (61%) of these species are endemic or near-endemic to South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho.

• Twenty-two percent of assessed amphibians (30 species) are threatened with extinction, with another 10% (13) assessed as Near Threatened.

• Thirty-nine percent of South Africa’s endemic amphibians are threatened with extinction, placing full responsibility for their protection on South Africa.

• Amphibians are becoming increasingly threatened with extinction. Although only three species have experienced a genuine increase in threat status; many species are still experiencing ongoing pressures.

• The main pressures causing population declines are invasive and other problematic species, impacting 83% of threatened species. Impacts range from infectious diseases to drying out and replacement of habitat by invasive alien plants. This is followed by habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural activities (72%) and natural system modification (69%) related to, for example, wetland drainage, overgrazing, and inappropriate fire cycles. Recognized as the most important emerging threat globally, climate change impacts are also becoming an important driver of amphibian declines in South Africa affecting nearly half of threatened species, although the impacts of this threat are challenging to quantify.

• A large proportion of amphibians are assessed as Well Protected (73%) within the South African Protected Area Network; however, 11% (15) of amphibians are Not Protected. Of the 29 threatened species, 79% are considered under-protected (Moderately Protected, Poorly Protected or Not Protected). Meaning that our most threatened species require improved protection, and most protected areas do not consider amphibians in their management activities

• Almost 50% (17) of South Africa’s threatened species occur in the Western Cape province. Given the high endemicity within this province, and the disproportional number of endemic species that are threatened, this spatial pattern is not surprising. The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces support four and six threatened species, respectively.

Figure 1. Density of threatened amphibian species (10 x 10 km grid), based on the distribution data of all threatened amphibian species.

Threat status, Trends and Pressures

1. Threat status

Seventy-six amphibian species (56%) are endemic to South Africa, with 30 of these (39%) threatened with extinction, placing full responsibility for their protection on South Africa. Most threatened species occur in, and are endemic to, the Western Cape (17 species), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (6 species) and then the Eastern Cape (4 species).

Twenty-two percent (30 species) of amphibians were assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable), and a further 10% (13 species) were assessed as Near Threatened. There have been significant shifts in the number of species per category since the 2016 assessments, with 23% of species experiencing a category change, although most of these have been non-genuine either because of improved application of the red list criteria or because of extensive survey efforts resulting in better knowledge of the status of populations. These changes include a decrease from 6 to 4 Critically Endangered species; an increase from 9 to 18 Endangered species; an increase from 1 to 8 Vulnerable; and a reduction of 4 to 2 Data Deficient. All 135 species were able to be assessed, with zero species classified as Not Evaluated Box 1.

Figure

Figure 2. Threat status of 135 South African amphibian taxa assessed following the IUCN 3.1 Red List Categories and Criteria. The proportion of all assessed taxa in the different IUCN Red List Categories is shown in the larger circle (A) while the smaller circle (B) shows the status for South African endemics.

Data

Table 1. Summary statistics for percentage threatened and endemic amphibians, and the number of species within each threat category.

Taxon	Critically Endangered	Endangered	Vulnerable	Near Threatened	Data Deficient	Least Concern	Total
Overall spiders	4	18	7	13	2	91	135
Endemic spiders	4	17	5	11	2	36	75

NoteBox 1: New knowledge informs our understanding of extinction risk.

Moonlight mountain toadlet (Capensibufo selenophos)

Thirteen amphibian species were assessed for the first time in 2024 (three assessed as EN, one as VU, four as NT, four as LC, and one as DD). Three of the four previously DD species were assessed (one as EN and two as NT). This supports the finding that DD species are often more threatened than ‘data-sufficient’ species ( species with enough information available to complete a Red List assessment) as proposed by Borgelt et al. 2022¹ and demonstrates the value of prioritizing DD species for funding and dedicated surveys. An example of this is the Moonlight Mountain Toadlet (Capensibufo selenophos). The Endangered Wildlife Trust secured funding to carry out extensive surveys between 2020 and 2023, and drive habitat protection processes with landowners. Seven previously unknown subpopulations of C. selenophos were confirmed across the Akkedisberg , Kleinrivier and Soetmuisberg Mountains in the Western Cape.

© Keir Lynch

Knowledge on threats were improved, and one property (approximately 700 ha) has been declared as a Nature Reserve through the Biodiversity Stewardship process and is being actively managed for control of alien invasive plants. This new information resulted in a non-genuine change (change in status due change in taxonomy, better available data or improved understanding of the criteria, see Butchart et al. (2004)² for further information) from DD to EN based on an EOO of 478 km2, and improved understanding of threats including deterioration of habitat quality, and suspected declines.

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Boston rain frog (Breviceps batrachophiliorum)

An example of a newly described species being assessed at the time of this assessment in 2025 is the Boston rain frog (Breviceps batrachophiliorum) (du Preez et al. 2025)³, which was previously assessed as B. bagginsi. Based on morphological, call and genetic analyses, the new species has been redescribed and split, resulting in an assessment of Endangered for B. batrachophiliorum and Critically Endangered for B. bagginsi. This grassland-associated species is restricted to the

© Louis Du Preez

midlands area in south central KwaZulu-Natal province. Records are confirmed from the Boston (type locality), Richmond, the Karkloof and Bulwer areas. Currently, the species is understood to occur at three subpopulations across less than 3000 km².

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Table mountain ghost (Heleophryne rosei)

The Table mountain ghost frog (Heleophryne rosei) provides an interesting example of how new information, and correct application of the IUCN Criteria and Categories, can impact the perceived extinction risk of a species. Heleophryne rosei has been listed as Critically Endangered for over 20 years, during which the same four threats have been implicated in reducing stream quality and extent. Despite this, there were no detailed studies undertaken to link specific threats to aspects of the species’ ecology to understand presumed declines and inform conservation actions. As such, the species remained listed as Critically Endangered because of on-going declines in habitat quality, small EOO, and one threat defined location. This began to change in 2019 when a multi-stakeholder project was launched to obtain fine-scale data on the species, increasing our understanding of magnitude and source of threats. While this habitat

© Joshua Weeber

specialist is still extremely range-restricted and experiencing continued habitat loss, the project revealed that the location and source of known threats are diverse and the species is therefore considered to occur at 2-4 threat locations (different streams on Table Mountain). Data from this project are now being used to inform management frameworks for headwater mountain streams, emphasizing the importance of fine-scale studies in amphibian conservation in South Africa, and supporting the view that priority research needs to inform conservation of amphibians⁴.

2. Trends

The trend in species status over time was measured using the globally recognized indicator, the IUCN Red List Index of species (RLIs)². The RLIs are calculated based on genuine changes in Red List categories over time. The RLIs value ranges from 0 to 1, and the lower the value, the faster the taxonomic group is heading towards extinction – i.e. if the value is 1, all taxa are Least Concern, and if the value is 0, all taxa are extinct. The Red List Index of amphibians was calculated for all amphibian taxa that have been reassessed (n = 135).

Thirty species have had a change in status since the latest assessment (2016 to 2025). However, only two of these are genuine changes (Breviceps macrops – desert rain frog (NT to VU) and Amietia hymenopus - Phofung river frog (NT to VU). These species are spatially isolated; however, they share some pressures, as both Breviceps macrops and Amietia hymenopus are likely to be impacted by climate change, where the former is restricted to the dry West Coast of South Africa and relies on limited precipitation in the form of fog, and the latter occurs in streams along the Drakensberg Escarpment and Lesotho, which may face increased drying and extreme weather events. Both species are also impacted by the expansion of mining activities, B. macros specifically on the West Coast, due to the future planned development of Green Hydrogen and A. hymenopus in the highlands of Lesotho into South Africa (Table 2).

The remaining species that have had a change in their status were considered to be non-genuine changes due to new information, taxonomic changes, application of criteria, etc. There has been no improvement in the status of amphibians during the assessment period. This is important to note: amphibians remain threatened by pressures that haven’t ceased and are increasing in most instances. Of particular concern are the impacts of invasive alien species, which affect 83% of threatened species, particularly in cases where the spread of invasive species is continuing or increasing. Impacts of this threat include drying out and replacement of habitat by alien invasive plants, diseases such as chytridiomycosis, and competition with problematic native species (Box 2).

Figure

Figure 3. The Red List Index (RLI) for amphibian species assessed in South Africa. The slope of the line indicates the rate at which species within each taxonomic group are becoming more threatened over time. The lower the value, the faster the group of species is heading towards extinction (if the value is 0, all species are extinct).

Data

Table 2. List of taxa that have had a genuine change in their status and the drivers. Asterisks indicate endemism levels: * endemic and ** near-endemic.

Taxon	Change of Status (2016 to 2025)	Direction of change	Reason for change
Amietia hymenopus** © Louis Du Preez	NT to VU	Increase	Deterioration in habitat quality, especially in Lesotho where active and proposed mines have had an observable increased impact (both directly and indirectly) on this species, with projected increased aridification due to climate change, overgrazing and water quality issues that have intensified since the last assessment, resulting in this species’ conservation status deteriorating.
Breviceps macrops © Nick Telford	NT to VU	Increase	Based on projected increased threats from mining and development. New information on future threatening processes has become available with changes in government policy that will likely lead to increased industrial development in the coastal region of the Northern Cape, South Africa and southwestern Namibia.

Figure 4. The distribution of two amphibian species that have experienced a genuine increase in threat status since the NBA 2018, including from the West Coast of South Africa, Breviceps macrops (NT to VU) and on the Drakensberg Escarpment between South Africa and Lesotho, Amietia hymenopus (NT to VU).

3. Pressures

Globally, habitat loss is the most common threat to amphibians, impacting 93% of threatened species, with agricultural expansion being the leading cause of habitat loss and degradation⁵. For South Africa’s frogs, the main pressures driving declines are impacts from invasive species, affecting 76% of threatened and Near Threatened species. These impacts include replacement of natural habitat due to expansion of woody invasive plants, drying out of wetlands and streams, changes to stream dynamics, including sedimentation, and alteration of natural fire regimes.

NoteBox 2: Invasive species impacts on range-restricted amphibians.

The Critically Endangered rough moss frog, (Arthroleptella rugosa) is restricted to the Klein Swartberg Mountain in the Western Cape. Within less than a decade, large portions of its seepage habitat in the fynbos have been invaded by cluster Pines, (Pinus pinaster). A study using bioacoustics to estimate frog densities found that numbers at invaded sites were directly affected by (P. pinaster) infestations⁶. At invaded sites, call densities (and hence population numbers) were reduced, while at uninvaded sites call

© Alouis and Keir Lynch Bionerds

densities were notably higher. These results confirm previous suggestions that invasive pine trees cause population declines in A. rugosa.

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These findings were used as motivation for conservation action and a joint initiative through CapeNature, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Fynbos Trust, 18 landowners and the Klein Swartberg Conservancy, resulted in adaptive fire management to control pine invasion across the species range. An ecological burn was carried out, which covered approximately 4000 hectares, and eradicated pines from areas where A. rugosa occurs. Post-fire monitoring has confirmed increasing numbers of frogs, and a 10-year management plan has been developed with the Conservancy, including ongoing alien plant management. This is a great example of conservation

Pine infestation of fynbos habitat on Klein Swartberg where the Critically Endangered Rough Moss Frog, Arthroleptella rugosa, occurs. (© Rob Erasmus, Enviro Wildfire)

needs being guided by expert knowledge and Red List assessment information, which have also resulted in the designation of this species entire range as an Alliance for Zero Extinction site, thus gaining international attention, strengthening partnerships and work with landowners towards formal habitat protection for this species.

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Before and after images showing a reduction in pine invasion from July 2021 (left) to April 2022 (right) at the type locality of A. rugosa through the use of a controlled ecological burn. (© Alouis and Keir Lynch Bionerds)

This is followed by habitat loss and degradation due to modification of natural system (impacting 64% of threatened and Near Threatened species) and agricultural activities (impacting 57% of threatened and Near Threatened species). Modifications can exacerbate inappropriate fire cycles. Globally, climate change is now recognised as the most serious emerging challenge facing amphibians, with 29% of threatened species worldwide impacted. This threat is expected to affect more species in the future with projected increases in temperature and changes in precipitation. In South Africa, 38% of our threatened and Near threatened species are impacted, or projected to be impacted by climate change and extreme weather, through shifts in habitat, droughts and flooding. These impacts require data to improve predictive models of amphibian habitats; for example, species monitoring and climate data. Fourteen threatened species (33%) are affected by pollution, particularly from agricultural effluents and domestic and urban waste water. A good example is the subpopulations of the Kloof frog, (Natalobatrachus bonebergi), in Durban that are impacted by sewage overflows into streams and increased sedimentation from urban construction, where it has a severe impact on stream health and breeding sites. Even while this species has been downlisted from EN to NT due to overall EOO and the correct application of the criteria, the KwaZulu-Natal subpopulations face increasing levels of threat. These impacts reflect the state of South Africa’s freshwater ecosystems, with many systems currently assessed as modified (Freshwater ecosystem pressures).

Figure 5. Key pressures on South Africa’s amphibians, based on the percentage of impacted threatened species, using the IUCN Threat Classification Scheme (IUCN, 2025)⁷.

NoteBox 3: The impact of habitat loss and degradation on South Africa’s amphibians

Habitat loss to agriculture and plantations

All 30 of South Africa’s threatened (CR, EN, VU) frog species are affected in one way or another by habitat loss and degradation (driven by agriculture, natural systems modifications, residential and commercial development, energy production and mining, and linear infrastructure for transportation and service corridors). While, agriculture is globally the main driver of threat to amphibians, impacting 77% of threatened frog species⁵. The Endangered Amathole toad, Vandijkophrynus amatolicus, occurs in an area of the Eastern Cape highlands where original grassland habitat has been heavily transformed by both agriculture and timber production. However, working with livestock farmers to improve grazing management

Amathole toad (Vandijkophrynus amatolicus). (© Alouis and Keir Lynch Bionerds)

through regenerative agriculture approaches and facilitating habitat protection processes through Biodiversity Stewardship may prove beneficial to this toad, while supporting livelihoods within this strategic water source area.

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Residential and commercial development

Habitat loss due to residential and commercial development impacts many of the country’s amphibians, perhaps none more so than the Western leopard toad (Scelophrys pantherina). Typically associated with low-lying wetlands and vleis in the Western Cape province. Urban infrastructure in the form of roads also causes significant individual mortalities of breeding adults every year when toads move from their summer foraging grounds through now developed areas towards suitable breeding habitat.

Western leopard toad (Scelophrys pantherina). (© Luke Verburght)

Sightings (including roadkill) of this species by the public can be uploaded to iNaturalist, with sightings in the Overberg specifically to: iNaturalist.

Contributions of occurrence records of any species are extremely valuable and have made up a significant proportion of data used in the 2025 assessments (See Box 4).

NoteBox 4. Calling all citizen scientists who might have an interest in these creatures.

To contribute to the future Red List assessments and monitoring of amphibians, join iNaturalist!

Amphibians of South Africa

New to iNaturalist (or never heard of it) and want to contribute? Watch these video tutorials to get started and sign up on the iNaturalist website or download the app on your smartphone.
To see how valuable your nature photographs can be, watch this inspiring TED talk.

Protection level

The protection level assessment was conducted for 133 of South Africa’s 135 described amphibian species. Two peripheral taxa with less than 5% of their distribution in South Africa were excluded from the analysis. Protection level (PL) categories include ‘Poorly Protected’, ‘Moderately Protected’, ‘Not Protected’ and ‘Well Protected’. Protection levels were calculated for amphibians by intersecting amphibian occurrence records with the protected area spatial layer, and calculating the area required to protect a target population of 10 000 individuals. Protection levels were also adjusted based on the management effectiveness of protected areas. For further details on the method used to conduct this assessment see here.

Figure 6. Protection level for amphibians was assessed for 133 taxa. Analysis excluded peripheral taxa (those with less than 5% of distribution range occurring in South Africa); (A) shows the protection level for all taxa; (B) shows the protection level for South African endemics.

Overall, the 2025 PL was higher than in 2016. While close to 72% of amphibians are considered Well Protected, 22% are Poorly or Not Protected. Species-specific management within protected areas is generally lacking for amphibians, with7% (9 species) assessed as less well protected once Protected Area management effectiveness are taken into account. For the 75 endemic amphibians assessed, 57% are Well Protected, 17% (13 species) are Not Protected, and a further 17% (13 species) are Poorly Protected. Sixteen highly threatened (CR and EN) species are under-protected (including Not Protected, Poorly Protected and Moderately Protected).

The mosaic of wetland habitat at the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area where the micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis) was discovered in 2021. Alien clearing efforts and population density estimates are currently underway using (M. capensis) as a management target. (© Keir Lynch Bionerds)

Nine species have had improvements in their protection level, from Poorly Protected to Moderately Protected (8 species) or Well Protected (1 species). Examples of threatened species that have benefitted from improved protection include the Endangered Micro Frog (Microbatrachella capensis), Pickersgill’s Reed Frog (Hyperolius pickersgilli), and the Cape Platanna (Xenopus gilli). In the case of H. pickersgilli, an additional 16 sites have been confirmed for the species since 2017, with several of these occurring within protected areas⁸.

Habitat protection gains have been a key outcome of the coordination of the Biodiversity Management Plan for this species, with several sites (totalling 127 hectares) being declared through the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, as well as improved management and wetland health for these, and existing protected areas⁸. For M. capensis, confirmation of the species in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area in 2021, which is now being managed with the frog as a management target, has resulted in both an expansion of the species’ range with Protected Areas, as well as improved management effectiveness scores from fair to good. It is important to recognize the contribution that Biodiversity Stewardship and conservation servitudes (or OECMs) makes to the protected area estate through agreements with landowners for targeting unprotected populations of species.

The previously Critically Endangered micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis), is now listed as Endangered due to its discovery at a new locality, it has also changed protection status from Poorly Protected to Moderately Protected resulting in a range extension © Alouise Lynch Bionerds

Species recovery

As part of the Red List process for southern Africa, the Amphibian Ark (AArk) joined the expert workshop and worked with coordinators to produce a Conservation Needs Assessment (CNA) for threatened South African amphibian species⁹. This used a process developed by AArk to determine which species have the most urgent conservation needs, based on action plans that combine in situ and ex situ actions, as appropriate. Six South African species were identified for ex situ conservation actions, including ex situ rescue (n = 5) and ex situ research (n = 1). Due to their level of threat, the five species recommended for ex situ rescue are also recommended for biobanking. Twenty-five species were recommended for in situ conservation, and 34 species are recommended for in situ research, while 15 species were identified for conservation education programs.

In addition, subsequent work to identify species requiring urgent recovery under Target 4 of the Global Biodiversity Framework resulted in 10 species being prioritized. This includes threatened endemic species and those of regional importance that might go extinct even if their habitat is protected. This highlights the limited targeted management of amphibians within protected areas and the need for research on how they respond to management interventions.

South Africa has a relatively proactive community working on amphibian conservation and research, with NGOs, provincial authorities and various universities contributing to building conservation evidence for assessing the effectiveness of conservation interventions and growing the body of knowledge on amphibian taxonomy, behavior and ecology (Table 3). These activities were partially guided by the conservation and research strategy compiled following the 2010 Red List assessments¹⁰, demonstrating the value of these processes, with plans in place to update this strategy following the most recent assessments (2025). While progress has been made, amphibian conservation capacity remains overlooked and underfunded compared to other taxa¹¹, and this is particularly pertinent in the African context, with limited resources in general, and the constant need to balance development needs with conservation efforts.

Table 3. List of some of the active recovery projects focused on amphibians across South Africa, led by a range of different organisations.

Contributor	Author affiliation/s	ORCID number
Oliver Angus	Endangered Wildlife Trust (at the time of assessments)	0000-0002-9791-9480
Adrian John Armstrong	Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife	0000-0002-6015-9019
Ninda Baptista	Universidade do Porto, Portugal
Francois Stephanus Becker	Gobabeb Research and Training Centre, National Museum of Namibia, University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand	0000-0003-3874-9183
Werner Conradie	Port Elizabeth Museum	0000-0003-0805-9683
Louis Heyns Du Preez	North-West University	0000-0002-3332-6053
James Harvey	Harvey Ecological
Adriaan Jordaan	University of the Western Cape, Iziko South African Museum	0000-0002-0772-0305
Keir Lynch	Anura Africa;Bionerds	0000-0001-6418-2307
John Measey	Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University	0000-0001-9939-7615
Mohlamatsane Mokhatla	University of Pretoria	0000-0001-8090-4592
Nieto Lawrence, J. A.	Anura Africa; University of Johannesburg	0000-0002-5982-5803
Fortunate Mafeta Phaka	North-West University	0000-0003-1833-3156
Darren Pietersen	Endangered Wildlife Trust	0000-0002-7592-8319
Krystal A. Tolley	South African National Biodiversity Institute	0000-0002-7778-1963
Andrew Turner	Cape Nature	0000-0003-1004-5723
Luke Verburgt	Enviro Insight
Che Weldon	North-West University	0000-0001-6716-0787

NoteBox 5. Pickersgill’s reed frog: Conservation action at work

The example of coordinated conservation action for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog, Hyperolius pickersgilli, provides a good case study of a relatively long-term recovery project in which new knowledge has not only resulted in a threat status reduction (from Critically Endangered in 2010 to Endangered in 2016), but also in concerted efforts to understand and mitigate threats. Stemming from recommendations in the 2011 Strategy for Conservation Research¹⁰, a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) was co-developed between key stakeholders and has resulted in many achievements over the past decade, including improvements in knowledge of distribution, genetics and habitat requirements, implementation of monitoring protocols, a captive breeding program, improved habitat protection gains (including a biodiversity offset) and improved habitat management. Research related to the project was published in four peer-reviewed articles and has contributed to seven post-graduate studies. Of the 16 actions identified for the first iteration of the BMP, 17% had been completed, 65% were on track, 6% had minor issues, and a further 12% were still in the planning phase by 2022. Overall, 24 participating organizations have been involved, and implementation of actions resulted in direct employment of over 150 people across institutions as well as stimulating an influx of funding to support actions⁸. In 2008 the species was known from less than 10 sites; today it is known to occur at almost 40 localities, and multiple breeding wetlands within these localities. The BMP helped strengthen government support as well as improved integration of research outputs into spatial planning and environmental compliance. Interest in the project also generated vast exposure, including television, signage and social media campaigns, reaching thousands of people. While this species’ range continues to be within an area of rapid transformation, this project that has resulted in the species improving its protection level from Poorly Protected in 2018 to Moderately Protected in 2025 demonstrates the successes that can be achieved through collaboration and the commitment of partners from a range of influences.

Release site for captive-bred Pickersgill’s Reed Frog in 2018 when 400 captive-bred individuals were released back into the wild through collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Joburg Zoo and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

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Partnering for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog’ - a sign put up at various H. pickersgilli sites explaining the Biodiversity Management Plan.

Knowledge gaps

While amphibians globally remain the most threatened (41%) vertebrates on Earth, basic data on species distribution, population numbers, and ecology remain poor. This is likely partly a result of limited funding, with amphibians receiving the least conservation funding of all major groups globally. Less than 2.8% of funding support is directed to amphibians globally, and this has declined from 4% in the 1990s¹¹. Projects on amphibians are also often focussed on multiple species, limiting investment per species. This differs from projects focussed on other taxa that often receive disproportional support, in some cases even for species that are not threatened (e.g., large mammals). This lack of funding is likely the root cause of several knowledge gaps discussed below and is also linked to inadequate capacity in amphibian research and conservation. These gaps are even more acute outside of South Africa in other parts of the continent.

Similarly, despite major efforts in recent decades to improve knowledge on amphibian declines, there remains a disconnect between research and translation of this into conservation actions. Research priorities identified at the global scale include better understanding of the effects of climate change, community-level drivers of declines, methodological improvements for research and monitoring, genomics, and effects of land-use change. Improved inclusion of under-represented members of the amphibian conservation community was also highlighted⁴. In South Africa, growing amphibian conservation and research capacity in a way that is representative is critical to addressing capacity gaps and providing skills transfer to young researchers to grow core conservation expertise.

Knowledge gaps related specifically to Red List processes for amphibians include that for most assessments, Criterion B (Geographic range information) is primarily used to inform assessments. Research projects that generate population data, both over time and in response to threats and management interventions will be useful to strengthen amphibian Red List assessments, and in turn to provide baseline data for adaptive conservation strategies. Using the outputs from Red Listing, including recommended conservation and research actions, is critical for prioritizing and guiding future conservation strategies, and such strategies have been found to be effective in improving taxonomy, ecological studies, monitoring, research outputs, and capacity building¹².

Approach

Red List Assessment

All previously assessed South African amphibians were reassessed as part of the Southern African Amphibian Red List Project (SAARLP) that commenced in 2023, as part the third global amphibian assessment process, supported by the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group and Amphibian Red List Authority. 135 species were assessed for publication on the IUCN Red List in 2025 and 2026, including 11 newly described species since 2016¹³. Over 150,000 records were collated for the assessments, including from various institutions and verified citizen science data. Twenty experts representing thirteen organizations contributed to the assessment process.

Protection Level Assessment

The species protection level assessment measures how effectively South Africa’s protected area network safeguards a species. It evaluates progress towards achieving a “persistence target” for each species — the level of protection needed to support long-term population survival. Because persistence depends not only on the area protected but also on the ability of protected areas to reduce pressures that drive population decline, a protected area effectiveness factor is included in the calculation.

Species are classified into four protection categories:

Well Protected — ≥100% of the persistence target met

Moderately Protected — 50–99% of the target met

Poorly Protected — 5–49% of the target met

Not Protected — <5% of the target met

This assessment was applied to 133 amphibian species with the persistence target set at the area required to protect 10 000 individuals.

There are two components included in the protection level assessment:

1. Representation in protected areas — quantifies how much of the area of suitable habitat required to support the persistence target of 10 000 individuals falls within existing protected areas.

2. Protected area effectiveness — adjusts for how well pressures that cause species declines such as invasive species, poaching, inappropriate fire regimes etc are mitigated within protected areas.

The degree to which protected areas effectively mitigate threats are scored as:

• Good, when the protected area is fully effective in protecting the species against major threats;

• Fair if the protected area provides some mitigation of major threats to species but is not completely effective;

• Poor if the protected area provides no mitigation of the major threats to the species.

Effectiveness ratings were provided by provincial and national conservation agencies responsible for protected area management as well as taxon experts.

The above analysis was first undertaken for NBA 2018 and was repeated in 2025 using updated species occurrence data based on the 2025 Amphibian Red List Reassessment. A spatial layer of protected areas for 2018 and 2025 representing protected areas that were declared at that time were used for the two time periods. A technical report outlining the full methodology and limitations will be available in February 2026.

Acknowledgement

Coordinated by:

Sponsored by:

Supported by:

Recommended citation

Tarrant, J., Weeber, J., Raimondo, D.C., Van Der Colff, D., Hendricks, S.E., & Monyeki, M.S. 2025. Amphibians. National Biodiversity Assessment 2025. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://nba.sanbi.org.za/.

References

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2. Butchart, S.H.M. et al. 2004. Measuring global trends in the status of biodiversity: Red list indices for birds. PLoS Biology 2: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0020383

3. Du Preez, L.H. et al. 2025. A new rain frog (anura: Brevicipitidae; breviceps) from the KwaZulu-natal midlands, south africa. African Journal of Herpetology. https://doi.org/10.1080/21564574.2025.2478896

4. Priority research needs to inform amphibian conservation in the anthropocene. 2023. Conservation Science and Practice e12988: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12988

5. Re, wild. 2023. Synchronicity earth, IUCN SSC amphibian specialist group. Re:wild, Texas, USA.

6. Angus, O. et al. 2023. In a rough spot: Declines in arthroleptella rugosa calling densities are explained by invasive pine trees. Austral Ecology48(3: 498–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13273

7. N., I.U.C. 2025. Threats classification scheme (version 3.3). The IUCN red list of threatened species.

8. Armstrong, A.J. et al. 2025. Collaborating for conservation: The first five years of implementation of the biodiversity management plan for pickersgill’s reed frog, hyperolius pickersgilli’. African Biodiversity & Conservation 55: 7. https://doi.org/10.38201/abc.v55.7

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